Whalen: Enjoy nature - turn down the volume

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Milford Daily News

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Posted Aug. 23, 2014 at 2:15 AM

Posted Aug. 23, 2014 at 2:15 AM

» Social News

Living in a seasonal climate area, for many of us, is one of the finer parts of life. With the myriad of natural change during each season, comes aesthetic pleasures that stimulate the human senses and enrich our lives.

But we have designed ways that compete with these natural pleasures. For instance, with SOUND, our hurried technological society has provided new auditory competition with nature. The sound of birds, crickets, wind, waterfalls and other wildlife are overwhelmed by lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers, alarms, beeps/automated voices at street crossings, air conditioners and motor vehicles of all sizes and shapes on land and water. It seems that the louder our inventions, the more popular. When these noises are produced, do we consider the impact on our environment, including our neighbors?

We spend much time indoors, even during the warm sunny days of summer. Transportation, the workplace, homes, shopping centers and indoor recreational facilities are air-conditioned. We are losing our direct contact with nature during all the seasons and therefore are missing the benefits to understanding and respecting our environment, as well as the soothing effect it has on our mind and body.